Ahmedabad: The Western Railway (WR) has introduced a new OTP-based system for Tatkal ticket bookings from today, December 1, 2025, in a move to curb touts and fake reservations.

The new procedure has been implemented first on Train No. 12009/12010, the Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express. Under the updated rules, Tatkal tickets will now be issued only after authentication via a system-generated One Time Password (OTP). The OTP will be sent to the mobile number provided by the passenger at the time of booking, and tickets will be confirmed only after successful verification of the OTP.

This OTP-based verification system will apply to bookings made through computerized PRS counters, authorized agents, the IRCTC website, and the IRCTC mobile app.

Passengers are advised to ensure that their mobile numbers are active and correctly linked at the time of booking to avoid delays. The Railway Board has stated that similar OTP-based verification will gradually be extended to all Shatabdi, Rajdhani, and 102 other premium trains across the country in the coming weeks. DeshGujarat